By JOHN CAMPANY

THERE were mixed fortunes for Essex and Suffolk Border League sides in the first round of the Essex Premier Cup.

However, there were notable performances from eight teams that safely made it through.

White Notley beat Redbridge Reserves 2-0 at Snaresbrook.

Manager Craig Jay was delighted with his side’s performance, which was rewarded with a first-half goal from Pat Knowles.

Knowles then added his second after the break and Notley now host last season’s Premier Cup finalists, Catholic United, at Oak Farm.

Alresford maintained their good form at Ford Lane, thumping a poor visiting Rochford Town 6-0.

Jack Johnson (two), Winston Ruby, Ryan Lewis, Ermal Mucaj and substitute Aidan O’Brien found the net and their side now host Springfield.

Meanwhile, at the War Memorial, James Good’s Little Oakley Reserves finally overcame Herongate Athletic 8–5, after extra time.

After 90 minutes, both sides had shared eight goals.

Oakley were 3-2 behind at half-time but forced the tie into extra time.

Three further goals saw the premier league side through to round two.

Mathew Green and Robert Pratt both scored hat-tricks, while Brendan Rusby and substitute Josh Candill completed the scoring.

Lawford Lads gained a creditable 3-2 victory at Halstead Town Reserves, reinforcing their progress this season following promotion.

They held a 2-0 interval lead but, despite the hosts fighting back, goals from Jack Wood (two) and Sean Lorimer saw them reach the next round.

Elsewhere, Gas Recreation beat Frenford Reserves 4-3.

They were two-up at the break but the visitors made them fight.

A Jack Gregory brace and a goal each from Ryan Dale and Aston Firkins settled the tie, while they were reduced to ten men after a red card shown to Jack Stoneman.

They next face a tough away trip to Kelvedon Hatch.

Tiptree Heath travelled to Holland Reserves and easily reached the next round with a 6-2 success.

Joe Chester and Max Hawkins each netted twice while Jamie Chesney and substitute Cameron Ward completed the route.

In the preliminary round of the League Knockout Cup, Hatfield Peverel prevailed at Stoneylands, beating Long Melford Reserves 2-1.

In the premier division, Hedinghams United defeated Brantham Athletic Reserves 5-3 to climb to 15th while Brantham remain bottom of the table.

In the first division, Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves lead the way after a thrilling 4-3 win at Bell Vue Social.

The home side led 3-2 but two goals in the last five minutes won the points for the visitors, whose scorers were Dan Martin, Glen Linnane, Robert Cant and an own goal.

Results: Essex Premier Cup - first round: Alresford Colne Rangers 6 Rochford Town 0, Catholic United Res 6 Cressing United 2, Dedham Old Boys 1 Academy Soccer 2, Earls Colne 2 Great Baddow 4 (AET), Gas Recreation 4 Frenford Res 3, Halstead Town Res 2 Lawford Lads 3, Holland Res 2 Tiptree Heath 6, Kelvedon Social 3 Ryan 0, Little Oakley Res 8 Herongate Athletic 5 (AET), Old Southendians 4 Great Bentley 1, Ramsey & Mistley 3 Shoebury Town 10, Redbridge FC Res 0 White Notley 2, Runwell Sports 3 Barnston 2, Manford Way H Wormingford Wanderers W.

Border League KO Cup preliminary round: Long Melford Res 1 Hatfield Peverel 2.

Premier division: Hedinghams United 5 Brantham Athletic Res 3.

First division: Bell Vue Social 3 Alrsford Colne Rangers Res 4, Colne Athletic 1 Tiptree Jobserve 1, Tiptree Engaine 4 West Bergholt Res 0.

Second Division: Cavendish 1 AFC Sudbury A 2, FC Clacton Res 1 Rowhedge 5, Hatfield Peverel 4 Lawford Lads Res 0, Stanway Pegasus 7 Boxted Lodgers Res 1, Wormingford Wanderers Res 4 Harwich Rangers 0.

Third division: Barnston Res 4 Oyster 4, Bradfield Rovers 1 Gosfield United 4, Elmden Rovers 5 Dedham Old Boys Res 5, Harwich & Parkeston Res 2 TiptreeEngaine Res 1, Shrub End United 3 Tavern 1, Tiptree Heath Res 2 Kelvedon Social Res 2, Tiptree Jobserve A 6 Hedinghams United Res 2.